Ernest Hemingway, one of the greatest writers of all time, gave us masterpieces still loved worldwide. Sure, he had the gift of storytelling, but as we often say, talent is nothing without discipline.

Hemingway followed a strict writing routine that helped him achieve literary greatness. I thought, “Why not try his routine and see if it transforms me into the next Hemingway?”

Spoiler alert: I failed miserably and quit within a week.

But just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. Let me walk you through my experience, and then you can decide whether you want to give it a shot.

Waking Up Early

Hemingway used to write from sunrise to noon. Simple, right? Not for someone like me, who wakes up at 10:30 AM.

But armed with excitement (and overconfidence), I set my alarm for 5:30 AM. After three snoozes, I managed to crawl out of bed at 5:45 AM.

It was still dark, so I did what any sane person would: Googled the sunrise time in my city. Turns out, it’s 6:50 AM in early December— I didn’t even know when the sun rises in my city.

I don’t even remember the last time I saw a sunrise. My parents were startled — probably thought I was sick or possessed — because seeing me up before noon isn’t something they experience often.

Determined, I headed to a distant park to witness the sunrise since the buildings around my house block any early rays of sunlight.

And guess what? It was beautiful. I hate my city (don’t we all?), but I had no idea that even urban sunrises could be so calming.

Sitting on a bench and watching the birds flying, a dog peeing on a car tire, and the faint red sky while listening to my playlist was oddly soothing. For a moment, I even forgot Hemingway and his routine.

Starting to Write

After soaking in the morning vibes, I returned home and started writing. Sleepiness crept in, so I chugged two coffees between 7:30 and 9:00 AM.

By 11:00 AM, I’d written and edited a 1,000-word article, and it was time for breakfast. After a half-hour break, I resumed writing and nearly finished the first draft of another article of the same length.

That’s a lot for me. I’m a slow writer, and the last time I wrote this much was under the terrifying shadow of a missed client deadline.

I stopped while I still knew what to write next — as Hemingway advised — stop when there’s still some juice left in you to avoid writer’s block in the next writing session.

The best part? I had the rest of the day free. I could read, draw (a hobby I adore but never find time for), or meet friends. The possibilities were endless! But, I spent the day binge-watching the remaining 7 episodes of The Boys Season 3.

Four episodes in daylight, and I sacrificed some sleep to finish the remaining three. My eyes hated me, but it was worth it.

I felt productive and optimistic about continuing the routine the next day — mainly to have enough free time to finish The Boys Season 4.

The Routine Crumbles

The next morning, my alarm tried its best, but my sleep proved immovable. I snoozed repeatedly and eventually turned it off.

Waking up at 11:00 AM (a bit later than usual), I felt a pang of regret. That day, I fell back into my regular writing pattern: scattered and unproductive.

I didn’t write much, nor could I finish The Boys Season 4 (only managed three episodes).

The following days were a blur of half-hearted attempts. I woke up between 7:00 and 10:00 AM, but none of those mornings felt like the magic of Day 1. Eventually, I abandoned the idea of following Hemingway’s routine.

Wrapping It Up

Here’s what I learned: Instead of copying someone else’s routine, it’s better to create one that suits your life.

While I don’t start writing at first light, I’ve adjusted my schedule. I now wake up earlier than before and avoid writing after 5:00 PM.

It’s not as productive as Hemingway’s approach, but it’s more realistic for me — and it still gives me time for web series at night.

I enjoyed my first day of Hemingway’s routine but lacked the discipline and excitement to sustain it. If you’re an early riser, don’t have a 9-to-5 job, and aren’t swamped with morning chores, give it a try. It might work for you.

As for me, I think I’ll inch toward his routine gradually, one failed sunrise at a time.

Note: This story was first published on my Medium account.